Richard Keith Rogers

Richard Keith Rogers of Sparta, Tennessee, 70, passed away February 19, 2026 at his residence.

Richard was born November 7, 1955 in Augsburg, Germany, on a U.S. Army base, to the late Freddie Bill Rogers and the late Joyce Ann Rogers. He was the middle of three siblings - his late older brother, Steve Rogers, and his younger sister, Karen Rogers - and was, by at least two accounts, the most spoiled of the three.

He spent his childhood picking on his younger sister, Karen, scheming with his older brother, Steve and getting away with murder with his mother. He built a life-long career as a commercial pipe artist. To him, a mechanical room wasn't just pipes and valves - it was a canvas. Every layout was perfectly aligned, meticulously labeled, and engineered for efficiency. His work reflected his values. He didn't believe in cutting corners. If a job had his name on it, it was done right. He worked hard, expected the same from others, and never accepted the word "can't". He never asked for handouts and took pride in standing on his own. He took care of everyone else around him above himself.

Outside of work, he found peace in his garden, tending to it with the same steady care he gave everything else in his life. True to his giving nature, if you were a grandkid, you could count on a bag of "'taters" for your birthday. He was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan his entire life - and, more recently, a Buffalo Bills convert. He never missed a game and never missed a chance to yell at the TV when the Cowboys underperformed (since January 28, 1996). He loved riding his Harley and no other motorcycle brand. He had a brilliant mind, a great sense of humor and a heart of gold. No one would have called him a good dancer - but he certainly would have. He wouldn't have claimed to be good with technology, and neither would anyone else. He wasn't just a man, a son, a brother, an uncle, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, he was everything.

Richard is survived by his four children, Ashlee Crouse (David Crouse), Jessica Branchizio (Andre Branchizio), Shelly Clark (Tom Clark) and Ryan Rogers (Sierra Rogers); his millions of grandchildren, Mashia Franklin (Elmer Franklin), Breeana Bolin (Dennis Bolin), Ciera Bobo, Khloe Crouse, Dawson Crouse, Leo Branchizio, Vera Branchizio, Gracie Clark, Susie Clark, Mallie Clark, Aspen Clark, Livia Clark, Liea Rogers, Addy Rogers, Riley Rogers, and Alayna Rogers; his great-grandchildren, Abbey Morris, Emory Bolin and Kinley Bolin. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tara Stewart.

Richard will be missed by his family; aunt Lavita Newquist; his nieces, Ashley Barlow (Dustin Barlow) and Katie Pickett (Joey Pickett); his nephews, Brad Lewis (Kristna Lewis) and Jared Howard (Sheena Howard); his great-nieces, Alex Compton (Jacob Compton), Brinley Barlow and Kimber Lawson; his great-nephews, Owen Lewis, Brody Barlow, Raylin Howard, Kaid Pickett, Karsen Pickett and Kasen Pickett; his great-great niece, baby Compton on the way.

The Rogers family has entrusted Hunter Funeral Home with Richard's cremation and a memorial service will be conducted 1:00pm Monday, March 9, 2026 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Town Cemetery in Spencer. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Monday at Hunter Funeral Home. Brice Murphy will officiate.